INAUGURAL  ADDRESS 


OF 


Hon.  GEORGE  H.  STEARNS, 


MAYOR, 


TO  THE 


City  Councils  of  Manchester, 


DELIVERED 


Before  the  two  Branches  in  Convention,  Jan.  6,  1885. 


PRINTED  BY  ORDER  OF  THE  CITY  COUNCILS. 


MANCHESTER,  N.  H.: 

PRINTED      BY     JOHN     B.      CLARKE 
1885. 


INAUGURAL  ADDRESS 


OF 


HON.  GEORGE  H.  STEARNS, 


MAYOR, 


TO  THE 


City  Councils  of  Manchester, 


DELIVERED 


Before  the  two  Branches  in  Convention,  Jan.  6,  1885. 


PRINTED  BY  ORDER  OF  THE  CITY  COUNCILS. 


MANCHESTER,   N.   H. : 

PRIN  T  E  1  >      BY      JOHN      I!  .      CLARK  E 
1885. 


INAUGURAL  ADDRESS. 


<h  nil tim  n  of  (hi  < tty  <  buneUs :  — 

Iii  entering  upon  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  the 
position  in  which  I  have  been  placed  by  my  fellow-citi- 
zens,—  a  place  which  has  often  been  filled  by  men  of  the 
highest  ability  in  the  administration  of  public  affairs,  some 
of  whom  have  received  the  highest  honors  from  the  peo- 
ple of  the  state,  —  as  I  contemplate  the  difficulties  and 
trials  inseparably  connected  with  ^he  work  which  has 
been  assigned  me,  I  am  profoundly  impressed  with  the 
weight  of  the  responsibilities  which  I  have  assumed,  and 
am  tempted  to  fear  that  I  may  fail  to  justify  the  confi- 
dence reposed  in  me,  and  act  my  part  in  a  manner  which 
at  all  times  shall  result  in  the  highest  good  of  the  people 
of  the  city.  In  the  midst  of  these  doubts  and  misgivings, 
I  am,  however,  sustained  by  the  conviction  that  whatever 
may  be  my  errors  of  judgment,  I  shall  not  be  found  want- 
ing in  watchfulness  and  sincere  devotion  to  the  public 
welfare.  I  am,  moreover,  cheered  by  the  assurance  that 
I  am  to  be  associated,  in  the  various  departments  of  the 
city  government,  with  gentlemen  upon  whom  I  can  confi- 
dently rely  for  counsel  and  encouragement  at  all  times 
and  under  all  circumstances. 

We  are  assembled  to  inaugurate  the  fortieth  municipal 
government  of  the  city,  a  charter  having  been  granted  by 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS. 


the  legislature  of  1846.  Twenty-one  of  the  citizens 
have  held  the  office  of  mayor,  and  all  but  live,  includ- 
ing the  first  two,  are  still  living.  During  all  these  years 
the  people  have  been  represented  in  the  various  depart- 
ments of  the  government  by  some  of  the  wisest  and 
most  trusted  citizens,  and  the  generations  of  to-day 
are  enjoying  the  fruits  of  their  well  directed  labors  in 
inaugurating  and  completing  the  great  public  enterprises 
which  contribute  so  much  to  the  convenience,  the  com- 
fort, and  pleasure  of  all.  In  looking  back  to  the  work  of 
our  predecessors  in  the  management  of  public  affairs,  it  is 
gratifying  to  find  so  much  to  approve  and  so  little  to 
condemn.  As  we  follow  in  their  footsteps  in  carrying  on 
the  work  which  called  forth  their  best  faculties  and  ener- 
gies, let  us  hope  that,  while  we  endeavor  to  avoid  their 
errors,  we  may  profit  by  their  wisdom  and  experience. 

We  commence  our  labors  as  the  servants  of  the  people 
at  a  time  of  depression  in  the  great  business  affairs  of  the 
country,  and  for  this  reason,  among  others,  it  behooves  us 
to  move  with  caution  and  prudence  in  the  appropriation 
and  disbursement  of  the  public  funds,  and  to  bear  in  mind 
the  embarrassing  circumstances  by  which  many  of  the 
tax-payers  of  the  city  may  be  surrounded.  While  the 
business  of  our  city  has  been  curtailed  to  some  degree 
during  the  present  crisis,  it  is  a  subject  for  congratulation 
that  our  great  manufacturing  industries,  upon  which  the 
welfare  of  the  city  largely  depends,  have  been  so  managed 
that  the  people  have  suffered  but  little  as  compared  with 
those  of  many  other  cities  and  towns  in  various  sections 
of  the  country. 

Gentlemen,  I  now  invite  your  attention  to  a  brief  sur- 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS. 


vey  of  the  condition  of  the  public  affairs  of  the  city  at  the 
present  time,  and  also  to  a  few  suggestions  in  relation 
to  some  of  the  most  important  matters  which  will  come 
before  us  for  consideration. 

,       FINANCE. 

I  find  by  the  books  of  the  city  treasurer  that  the  condi- 
tion of  the  finances  the  first  day  of  January,  1885,  was 
as  follows :  — 

Total  amount  of  funded  debt    .  8845,200.00 

Interest  due,  estimated      .         .  20,000.00 

Temporary  loan        .         .         .  119,000.00 
Due    Amoskeair  Company  lor 

land 25,776.40 

Outstanding  bills      .         .         .  54,163.00 

Total  indebtedness  Jan.  1,1885 $1,064,139.40 

Cash  in  treasury  Jan.  1,  1885  .  63,719.30 


Net  indebtedness  Jan.  1,1885.        .         .     81,000,420.10 

It  will  be  observed  by  the  foregoing  statement  that  the 
unpaid  bills,  notes,  and  interest  amount  to  nearly  8219,000, 
and  that  the  cash  on  hand  to  meet  these  bills  amounts  to 
less  than  $64,000,  which  leaves  a  balance  of  more  than 
81 55,000  to  be  provided  for.  I  would  recommend  the 
funding  of  this  floating  debt,  for  which  bonds  can  be 
issued. 

It  will  be  necessary  to  make  provision  for  a  temporary 
loan  for  the  purpose  of  raising  money  to  pay  the  ordinary 
expenses  until  the  first  of  July  next,  when  the  taxes 
which  will  be  assessed  in  April  will  become  due.  It  is 
highly   important  that  the  expenses  of  the  government 


6  INAUGURAL    ADDRESS. 


should  not   be  allowed  to    overrun    the  appropriations, 

and  thus  add  to  the  debt  of  the  city. 

It  appears  by  the  books  of  the  city  collector  that  the 
total  amount  of  unpaid  taxes  on  the  tax  list  of  1884  is 
$15,146,  which  is  within  about  four  per  cent  of  the  total 
amount  assessed. 

WATER-WORKS. 

The  water-works  of  the  city,  which  have  been  built  and 
in  operation  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  have  more  than 
realized  the  highest  hopes  and  expectations  of  the  citi- 
zens who  projected  that  most  important  enterprise.  The 
works,  which  from  the  first  have  been  placed  entirely 
in  charge  of  some  of  the  most  trusted  of  our  citizens,  have 
been  so  well  managed  that  the  income  has  been  more 
than  sufficient  to  pay  the  interest  of  the  water  bonds  and 
the  expense  of  putting  in  twenty -three  and  a  half  miles  of 
additional  distributing  pipes.  The  original  cost  of  the 
works  was  $600,000,  and  the  cost  of  the  extension  of  the 
pipes  during  the  past  ten  years  has  amounted  to  the  sum 
of  822:',, (Mil).  The  total  length  of  distributing  pipes  laid 
down  up  to  the  present  time  is  forty-three  and  a  half  miles, 
and  the  total  number  of  hydrants  is  369. 

There  is  reason  to  fear  that  the  purity  of  the  water  at 
the  source  of  supply  may,  in  time,  be  much  impaired  by 
filth  which  is  liable  to  be  discharged  into  the  lake  from 
outhouses  connected  with  the  cottages  located  upon  its 
shores.  It  is  hoped  that  some  steps  may  be  taken  to  pre- 
vent any  serious  consequences  to  our  citizens  on  this 
account. 


IXAnU'RAL    ADDRESS 


STREETS. 

One  of  the  most  important  subjects   in   which  all  our 

people,  and  especially  the  tax-pavers,  are  deeply  inter- 
ested, is  that  of  keeping  the  public  thoroughfares  at  all 
times  in  a  perfectly  sate  condition.  To  effect  this  object 
the  superintendents  of  streets  and  surveyors  of  highways 
should  be  men  of  sound  judgment  and  experience.  It 
therefore  becomes  a  very  important  duty  on  the  part  of 
the  city  councils  to  select  the  very  best  men  for  these 
responsible  positions.  In  these  times,  when  the  city  is 
often  called  upon  to  pay  heavy  damages  for  injuries 
alleged  to  have  been  received  by  people  in  passing  through 
the  public  avenues,  the  city  authorities  ought  at  all  times 
to  be  able  to  demonstrate  that  if  such  accidents  are  received 
at  all.  it  is  on  account  of  no  carelessness  or  neglect  on  the 
part  of  the  officers  having  them  in  charge. 

A  steam  road-roller  is  greatly  needed,  as  it  is  impossible 
to  construct  a  good  macadamized  street  without  the  aid 
of  one. 

LIGHTING    STREETS. 

The  cost  of  lighting  our  streets  during  the  last  year  was 
about  811 J Hin.  against  $5,500  three  years  ago.  A  very 
large  portion  of  this  increased  expense  is  owing  to  the 
introduction  of  the  electric  lights,  which  cost  the  sum  of 
•S4.o'.i2  per  year.  I  would  suggest  that  it  may  he  for  the 
interests  of  the  city  to  employ  the  Gas  Company  to  take 
the  entire  charge  of  the  lighting  and  repairing  of  all  the 
street  lamps. 

BRIDGES. 

All  the  bridges  are  in  good  condition  except  Amoskeag 
and  Granite  bridges,  which    will    require   new  planking 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS. 


the  present  year.  The  replanking  of  the  bridges  across 
the  Merrimack  river  once  in  two  years,  which  has  be- 
come necessary  in  consequence  of  the  extensive  travel 
over  those  thoroughfares,  has  been  a  heavy  item  of  ex- 
pense to  the  city.  Last  year  the  new  McGregor  bridge 
was  covered  by  concrete,  with  the  view  of  protecting  the 
planks  from  speedy  destruction  by  the  passage  of  vehicles 
over  them.  If  the  experiment  proves  successful,  a  great 
saving  will  he  effected. 

The   expense    of    this   department   the   past    year   was 
about  SI  0,000. 

SEWERS    AND    DRAINS. 

A  large  appropriation  will  he  necessary  for  the  con- 
struction of  our  sewers  and  drains.  I  would  suggest  that 
an  appropriation  be  made,  sufficient  for  the  building  of  a 
sewer  to  drain  the  north  end  of  the  city,  as  recommended 
by  the  committee  on  sewers  and  drains  of  the  last  city  gov- 
ernment. It  is  proposed  that  this  sewer  shall  commence  at 
the  junction  of  Webster  and  Union  streets,  and  extend 
through  Webster  street  to  the  River  road,  and  down  that 
thoroughfare  to  Bridge  street,  where  a  connection  will 
be  made  with  the  Bridge-street  sewer,  which  enters  the 
river  under  McGregor  bridge.  The  north  section  of  the 
city  is  rapidly  increasing  in  population,  and  a  sewer  in 
that  quarter  is  imperatively  necessary.  It  is  also  neces- 
sary to  extend  the  Bridge-street  sewer  east  from  Kim  to 
Nashua  street,  for  the  purpose  of  relieving  the  Nashua- 
street  sewer.  An  appropriation  of  $20,000  will  probably 
be  needed  for  this  department. 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  9 


THE    FIRE    DEPARTMENT. 

The  fire  department  continues  to  maintain  its  well 
earned  reputation  of  being  among  the  very  best  in 
the  country,  both  in  equipment  and  the  character  and 
efficiency  of  its  members.  The  board  of  engineers,  the 
officers  of  companies,  and  the  firemen  have  worked  in 
the  most  perfect  harmony,  and  in  a  manner  to  secure  the 
confidence  and  esteem  of  the  people  of  the  city.  The 
steam  fire-engines  and  other  apparatus  are  in  excellent 
condition,  and  there  seems  to  be  but  little  room  for  im- 
provement in  this  department. 

I  am  informed  by  the  chief  engineer  that  the  boxes 
connected  with  the  fire-alarm-telegraph  system  have 
become  worn  out,  after  being  in  use  for  ten  years,  and 
need  reconstruction.  Xew  wires  must  also  be  procured 
to  replace  those  now  in  use,  for  the  same  reason.  I  would 
recommend,  when  this  is  done,  that  private  tire-alarm  sig- 
nals be  introduced  into  the  large  school  buildings,  so  that 
in  case  of  lire  in  any  one  of  them  the  department  may  be 
called  out  without  delay.  The  expediency  of  securing  a  fur- 
ther protection  of  these  buildings,  as  well  as  the  lives  of 
the  pupils,  in  the  mannerproposed,  would  seem  to  be  obvi- 
ous, when  it  is  remembered  that  there  is  no  insurance 
upon  the  school  property  of  the  city. 

The  appropriation  in  this  department  for  1884  was 
$20,000.  I  invite  your  attention  to  the  excellent  report 
of  the  chief  engineer. 

CLAIMS    UPON    THE    CITY. 

I  learn,  by  the  report  of  the  city  solicitor,  that  there 
are  now  pending  fourteen  claims  for  damages  against  the 


10  [NAUGURAL    ADDRESS. 

city,  for  injuries  sustained  on  the»streets  and  sidewalks, 
amounting  in  the  aggregate  to  the  sum  of  $50,000. 
The  most  of  these  have  been  referred  to  the  coming  March 
term  of  the  supreme  court. 

PUBLIC    PARK. 

I  will  now  invite  you  to  consider  the  question  as  to 
whether  the  interests  of  the  people  will  be  best  promoted 
by  taking  immediate  steps  to  provide  a  public  park.  If 
a  park  is  ever  to  he  provided  at  all,  it  is  clear  that  the 
longer  any  action  looking  to  the  attainment  of  that  result 
the  more  difficult  and  expensive  it  will  be.  The  lands 
owned  by  the  Amoskeag  Company,  lying  in  the  vicinity 
of  Rock  Rimmon,  and  including  that  spot,  are  in  all 
respects  adapted  for  all  the  purposes  of  a  public  park. 
It  has  been  thought  that  satisfactory  arrangements  for 
the  purchase  of  these  lands  may  he  made  with  the  Amos- 
keag Company,  which  from  the  first  has  exhibited  a  spirit 
of  great  liberality  in  giving  its  aid  and  support  to  all 
measures  which  tend  to  promote  the  health  and  happi- 
ness of  the  people  of  the  city. 

COMMOXS. 

The  commons,  which  are  one  of  the  leading  attractions 
of  our  city,  have  been  well  cared  for  during  the  past  few 
years.  Many  important  improvements  have  been  made 
and  considerable  amount  of  money  has  been  expended, 
so  that  no  great  outlay  will  he  required  for  some  time 
to  conic 

CEMETERIES. 

The  cemeteries  have  been  much  improved  during 
the  past  pear  and  arc   now   in   excellent   condition.     Dur- 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  11 


ing  the  past  year  the  Pine  Grove  Cemetery  has  been 
enlarged  by  the  addition  of  about  twenty  acres  of  land 
at  a  cost  of  $3,090.  The  cost  of  the  improvements  at 
this  cemetery  has  amounted  to  $9,251.  The  board  of 
trustees  of  the  cemeteries  recommend  the  building  of  a 
new  receiving-tomb,  the  old  tomb  being  too  small  to  meet 
the  wants  of  the  public. 

CITY    LIBRARY. 

This  institution,  under  the  judicious  management  of  the 
board  of  trustees  and  the  librarian,  continues  to  realize 
the  wishes  and  hopes  of  its  founders  in  promoting  the 
improvement  and  enjoyment  of  the  people.  The  library 
has,  from  time  to  time,  received  liberal  donations  of  books 
from  citizens  who  have  been  identified  with  the  growth 
and  prosperity  of  our  city.  It  would  be  a  great  advan- 
tage to  many  of  our  people  if  a  public  reading-room  were 
established  in  connection  with  the  library.  The  library 
now  consists  of  27,876  volumes. 

THE    SCHOOLS. 

The  people  of  our  city,  throughout  its  entire  history, 
have  spared  no  pains  or  expense  in  seeking  to  provide  the 
best  advantages  for  the  education  of  their  children.  At 
the  present  time  our  school  buildings,  in  beauty  and  con- 
venience, are  unsurpassed  by  any  which  can  be  found  in 
any  of  the  cities  of  the  country  of  equal  size  ;  and  there 
are  the  best  reasons  for  claiming  that  our  teachers,  in  char- 
acter and  ability,  are  at  least  equal  to  those  who  are  em- 
ployed in  those  cities  and  towns  which  are  the  most  for- 
tunate in  this  respect.  With  all  our  advances  in  the 
management  of  our  schools,  it  is   claimed  by  many  who 


1:2  INAUGURAL    ADDRESS. 

» 

are  regarded  as  authorities  in  this  matter  that  there  is 
still  room  for  much  improvement. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  only  a  small  number  of  the 
pupils  in  the  schools  desire  a  more  complete  education  in 
the  colleges  or  higher  seminaries,  with  the  design  of 
entering  the  learned  professions,  it  becomes  a  matter  of 
great  importance  that  the  larger  class  should  occupy  the 
first  place  in  the  care  and  regard  of  the  teachers  and  others 
upon  whom  are  placed  all  the  responsibilities  pertaining  to 
this  subject. 

Total  number  of  pupils  in   the   schools  during 

the    past  year  was           .....  3,918 

Average  number         .         .          .         .         .         .  2,872 

Total  expense  of  schools     .....  $53,477 

Cost  per  scholar           ......  18.02 

POLICE    DEPARTMENT. 

The  protection  of  the  people  and  the  preservation  of 
the  peace  and  order  of  the  city  are  among  the  most  diffi- 
cult duties  the  municipal   authotities   are   called   upon  to 

■ 
perform. 

The  affairs  of  this  department  appear  to  have  been  very 
creditably  managed  for  the  past  year  or  two,  and  the  city 
has  not  been  afflicted  on  account  of  the  commission  of 
any  of  the  great  capital  crimes  on  the  part  of  any  person 
residing  in  our  jurisdiction. 

Inasmuch  as  the  best  men  as  to  character  and  fitness 
are  required  to  perform  the  duty  of  keeping  the  peace 
in  a  successful  manner,  it  becomes  a  matter  of  much 
consequence  that  none  should  be  appointed  but  such 
as  arc  temperate  and  free  from  all  vices  of  whatever  name 


[NAUGTJRAL    ADDRESS. 


13 


or  character.  While  they  should  be  men  of  firmness  and 
courage,  they  should  be  vigilant  and  discreet.  They 
should  also  be  able  to  control  their  temper  under  provo- 
cation, and  to  treat  suspeeted    prisoners  who  are  under 

arrest  with  civility  and  kindness.  It  is  hoped  that  those 
having  the  appointment  of    these  officers  will   exercise 

great  care  and  discrimination  in  the  discharge  of  that 
duty. 

A.mong~the  most  common  of  the  less  flagrant  pffenses. 
drunkenness  continues  to  take  the  lead.  It  cannot  he 
denied  that  the  sin  of  intemperance  is  the  source  of  a  vast 
amount  of  suffering,  not  only  to  the  victims  themselves 
but  to  their  families  and  friends  and  the  community  at 
huge.  How  to  overthrow  or  mitigate  the  evil  is  a  ques- 
tion of  very  serious  importance.  From  the  experiences  of 
the  past,  it  appears  useless  to  hope  for  a  thorough  and 
lasting  reform  in  this  direction  until  a  strong  and  ardent 
moral  sentiment  is  awakened  among  the  people  of  all 
classes,  and  more  especially  among  the  educated,  the 
refined,  the  wealthy,  and  the  influential.  How  can  we 
expect  to  reform  the  lower  classes,  so  called,  so  long  as 
the  habit  of  drinking  intoxicating  liquors  prevails  to  a 
very  large  extent  among  those  in  the  higher  walks  of  life 
who  give  tone  and  character  to  society,  and  even  among 
those  who  assist  in  framing  and  administering  the  laws  ? 
I  shall  at  all  times  most  heartily  cooperate  with  you  in 
the  support  of  all  measures  that  may  seem  to  be  the  most 
judicious  and  practicable  for  the  preservation  of  the  peace 
and  order  of  the  city,  and  best  calculated  to  promote  a 
reform  of  the  evil  of  intemperance. 


14 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS. 


A  new  police  station  has  been  erected  on  the  corner  of 
Manchester  and  Chestnut  streets  and  will  be  ready  for 
occupancy  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks.  The  building  is 
located  in  a  comparatively  retired  spot,  and  altogether 
superior  to  the  old  station  in  the  City-Hall  building.  It 
contains  all  the  accommodations  needed  for  the  police 
department  and  the  police  court.  In  regard  to  the  exact 
cost  of  the  building  I  am  not  informed,  as  the  bills  are 
mostly  charged  to  incidental  expenses.  I  would  respect- 
fully suggest  that  hereafter,  when  a  new  building  is  to  be 
erected  or  any  other  enterprise  is  undertaken,  a  special 
appropriation  he  made  for  this  purpose  and  a  separate 
account  opened,  so  that  the  citizens  have  an  opportunity 
to  know  at  once  the  exact  amount  of  money  expended. 

The  total  amount  expended  in  the  police  department 
the  past  year  was  about  §26,000. 


HEALTH    DEPARTMENT. 

I  wish  to  refer  to  the  urgent  demand  that  more  strin- 
gent measures  should  be  taken  for  the  better  preserva- 
tion of  the  health  of  our  citizens.  It  has  long  been  felt  that 
it  is  not  enough  to  pass  ordinances  requiring  the  people 
to  keep  their  premises  free  from  all  nuisances  and  offen- 
sive substances  calculated  to  generate  disease,  unless  the 
laws  upon  this  subject  are  strictly  enforced.  In  spite  of 
all  that  has  been  done  in  the  way  of  calling  the  attention 
of  the  people  to  the  ordinance  upon  the  subject,  the  air  in 
many  of  the  back  streets  in  the  very  heart  of  the  city  dur- 
ing the  summer  months  has  often  been  polluted -by  decay- 
ing vegetable  and  animal  substances  and  tilth  lying  in 
uncleansed  outhouses.     As  a  consequence,  there  has  been 


INAUGURAL   ADDRESS.  15 

a  very  much  larger  rate  of  mortality  among  children  from 
cholera  infantum  in  such  localities  than  in  those  sections 
where  the  laws  of  health  in  this  respect  have  been  ob- 
served. In  view  of  the  probability  that  the  country  may 
be  scourged  by  Asiatic  cholera  during  the  present  year,  it 
becomes  our  duty  to  act  promptly  in  this  matter.  I 
would  suggest  that  a  police  officer  or  some  other  reliable 
person  be  appointed  to  make  daily  inspection  in  hack 
streets  and  by-ways,  and  vigorously  prosecute  all  offend- 
ers against  the  law. 

In  this  connection  I  desire  to  call  your  attention  to  the 
question  as  to  whether  the  puhlic  good  requires  that  a 
public  hospital  should  he  established  here  without  fur- 
ther delay.  The  people  of  other  cities  in  the  country, 
some  of  which  have  much  less  pretension  upon  the  score 
of  wealth  and  population,  have  long  enjoyed  the  benefits 
of  institutions  of  this  character.  It  must  he  apparent  to 
all  that  a  large  proportion  of  our  adult  population  consists 
of  people  who  are  without  family  ami  near  friends  to  care 
for  them  in  case  of  sickness  or  accident,  and  that  it  is 
almost  impossible  to  afford  them  proper  accommodations 
in  boarding-houses  and  crowded  tenements,  without  caus- 
ing great  trouble  and  inconvenience  to  all  concerned. 
Under  these  circumstances  it  seems  strange  that  the  influ- 
ential, the  wealthy,  the  public-spirited,  and  benevolent 
citizens  in  our  midst,  who  have  the  best  reasons  to  feel 
proud  of  our  city  in  most  other  respects,  have  not  before 
this  demanded,  in  the  name  of  justice  and  humanity,  to 
say  nothing  of  the  interests  and  good  name  of  our  city, 
that  a  public  hospital  should  be  established.  It  should  be 
borne  in  mind  that  all  the  expense  for  board,  nursing. and 


16  INAUGURAL    ADDRESS. 

attendance  of  patients  need  not  necessarily  be  paid  from/ 
tin-  city  treasury,  as  there  will  always  be  a  large  number 
of  persons  of  means  who  will  be  glad  to  avail  themselves 
of  the  superior  advantages  afforded  in  a  well  conducted 
hospital. 

It  is  by  no  means  necessary  that  a  very  large  and  ex- 
pensive structure  be  erected,  or  that  mere  embellishment 
should  be  taken  into  consideration.  There  is  no  doubt 
that  a  plain  and  substantial  building,  containing  all  neces- 
sary accommodations  for  hospital  purposes,  of  sufficient 
capacity  to  meet  the  present  demands  of  the  city,  can  be 
provided  and  furnished  for  a  sum  ranging  from  $15,000 
to  $20,000.  Additional  buildings  may  lie  erected  from 
time  to  time  as  they  may  be  needed.  A  part  of  the  city 
farm  situated  near  the  top  of  Wilson  Hill  would  afford 
one  of  the  best  locations  for  an  institution  of  this  kind. 

It  maybe  said  that  the  "  Elliot  Hospital,"  which  is  to  be 
established  at  no  distant  day,  will  meet  all  the  wants  of 
the  people  in  this  regard.  To  this  it  may  be  replied  that 
the  will  of  the  late  Mrs.  Elliot  expressly  stipulates  that 
none  but  Protestants  can  share  the  benefits  of  the  insti- 
tution founded  by  her  liberality  ;  so  that  a  large  proportion 
of  our  people  wdio  are  equally  entitled  to  the  consideration 
and  charity  of  the  public  in  case  of  misfortune  will  be 
left  to  shift  for  themselves,  unless  the  city  authorities  take 
some  action  in  this  matter. 

CITY    FARM. 

The  buildings  of  the  city  farm  are  now  in  good  condi- 
tion, and  well  adapted  to  the  convenience  and  comfori  of 
the  worthy  poor  of  the  city  who  are  so  unfortunate  as  to 


INAUGURAL    ADDRESS.  17 

be  without  homes  of  their  own,  and  also  for  the  confine^ 
ment  of  prisoners  sentenced  by  the  police  court  for  drunk- 
enness. The  farm  consists  of  ahont  18-3  acres  of  very 
excellent  land  in  close  proximity  to  the  city,  and  there 
appears  to  be  no  reason  why,  in  ordinary  years,  the  insti- 
tution should  not  be  self-supporting.  The  cost  to  the 
city  tor  making  improvements  and  sustaining  the  institu- 
tion during  the  past  year  amounted  to  the  sum  of 
$12,02(3.88. 

CONCLUSION. 

The  government  of  the  city  is  now  intrusted  to  our 
hands,  and  the  great  public  interests  to  which  I  have  re- 
ferred are  placed  in  our  charge  and  keeping.  We  are 
the  representatives  and  servants  of  the  whole  people, 
and  have  taken  a  solemn  obligation  to  protect  them  in 
their  persons  and  property,  and  to  manage  their  public 
affairs  with  the  strictest  fidelity,  and  to  the  full  extent  of 
our  ability.  For  the  proper  discharge  of  this  important 
duty  all  the  members  of  the  government  are  equally 
responsible,  and  every  one  should  at  all  times  exercise  the 
same  care  and  devotion  to  the  public  good  as  if  the  entire 
result  depended  upon  his  individual  efforts.  It  therefore 
behoovas  every  one  to  make  a  special  study  of  the  condi- 
tion and  wants  of  this  municipality,  and  all  measures 
upon  which  he  will  be  called  upon  to  act  should  be 
thoughtfully  examined  and  considered. 

It  is  hoped  that  every  member  of  the  government  will 
feel  that  nothing  but  the  most  urgent  necessity  should 
prevent  his  prompt  attendance  upon  all  of  the  meetings 
of  the  departments  and  committees  to  which  he   belongs, 


18  INAUGURAL    ADDRESS. 

and  thus  prevent  all  delays  and  embarrassments  which 
would  otherwise  follow. 

Let  all  our  official  acts  be  above  board  and  open  to  the 
inspection  and  criticism  of  every  citizen,  and  let  us  resolve 
to  perform  our  duties  with  the  strictest  impartiality,  and 
without  discrimination  in  favor  of  any  class  or  individual 
whether  they  occupy  the  highest  or  the  lowest  position  in 
the  social  scale. 

In  our  intercourse  with  one  another  let  us  cultivate  a 
spirit  of  respect  and  good-will,  and  let  our  official  relations 
at  all  times  be  characterized  by  courtesy  and  mutual  for- 
bearance. And  now  let  us  consecrate  our  best  faculties 
and  powers  to  the  service  of  the  people  and  seek  for  the 
inspiration  of  Divine  Wisdom  to  aid  and  assist  in  every 
hour  of  difficulty  and  doubt,  so  that  in  surrendering  the 
trusts  which  have  been  committed  to  our  care  we  may 
have  the  approbation  of  our  own  consciences  and  the  sat- 
isfaction of  knowing  that  we  have  done  all  in  our  power 
to  perpetuate  the  fair  fame  and  to  promote  the  prosperity 
of  our  city. 


